The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-09
THE STAFF OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
BY MRS. HOLMES SLADE.
Whitewater, Wis.,

In our missionary WOIK VIZ muSL nave
first'a conception of what we would like
to do, and then faith that we can do
something, if not all we desire. Then
faith in God, that he will bless our I'M
selfish endeavors faith in our religion,
that it is power for good when given
to hungry souls, and faith in each other.
With this understood, we are equipped
for our mission. Now, we need the
help of each other to do everything we
are called to do. We need money to be
sure, but it is not always the largest
amount of such means that accomplishes
the most. 1t is quite as often the mites.
What choice words are those of the
prophet, where he says: "And they
helped every one their neighbor, and
every one said to his neighbor, be of
good courage. So the carpenter encour-
aged the goldsmith, and he that smooth
eth with the hammer, him that smote
the anvil, saying, 1T is ready for the
SOLDERING and he fastened it with nails
that it should not be moved" You
will perceive that in this instance it
was all Of them working and working
together, each encouraging the other,
that made their work so efficient.
We can accomplish almost anything
we please if we are permitted to lean on
the hearts of the people, and then set
about our work in the right way, with
firmness of spirit, and energy and cour-
age enough to face some of the difficult
ties that are forever arising before US,
and soul enough to say, 1--WE will not
give up" Let US think of it, that the
happiness of the world is but noun
tain of golden sands, of little nameless
aforementioned acts, it may be-and
what is required of us is to give our
contributary atom to swell the aggrega-
ton. We do not ask that the little
brook shall turn the wheel all alone,
but only that we shall understand that
it is mighty power when united with
a great many other streams, to move
the ponderous machinery that shall
prove the great reliance of virtue, and
the hope of the worlds deliverance
from all vice and corruption.
SMALLEST helps if rightly given
Makes the impulse stronger"
Only every man must call his brother
to the rescue, and every woman her
sister. Let us be hopeful of our mission
and understand that it does not take
great wealth to urge on the cause of
the Master. We have the ability, and
what is wanting is strong will to shed
light in all destitute places, and spread
the healing power and influence Of our
gospel far AID wide. The first problem
for our solution is how to make all our
congregations responsible for doing
some acknowledged work in a mission
airy spirit, and arousing our churches to
an earnest business-like zeal. The Sec
ond problem is how to organize individ-
ual Universalists, scattered all over our
State, not near enough to any gathered
society to be working force within its
fold, and yet true to the doctrines and
principles of our church. To solve
these two problems, and combine our
scattered forces into living, active
power, united in spreading our precious
truths to needy ones who are suffering
under the bondage of misrepresentation
of the greatness of Gods mercy, and
the fruition of an eternal hope into the
love which casteth out fear and makes
the heart rejoice with joy unspeakable
and full Of glory.
What a glorious mission is ours, and
shall we sit idle Patient toll will &C
complish much. "Heaven is not reach
ed, !" as one has said, Eat a single bound,'
but all the heights may be climbed ''by
slow degrees, by more and more" Men
everywhere are struggling for the light;
and prayerful, unselfish devotion to the
right use of time and talents, will bring
us blessings untold and unthought of.
We need not ask for opportunities, but
dispositions to occupy. The field is
before US, and the Macedonian cry is,
"Come over and help u.s." And shall
we not heed itp Beginning right at
home. In places nearest to US, willing
to do service in any quiet corner of our
Masters vineyard.
Sometimes 1 wonder il the people of
Wisconsin are made up any different
from those of other States. Talking
with Baptist clergyman in Illinois not
long since, he told me of trials he had
experienced in this State, and which
his own people had with societies all
through the State. He hardly knew
why it should be thus peculiar with a
people trained to the same discipline.
Farmers know what the disease is
called rot, and what circumstances are
liable to bring it about. 1t attacks !
sheep more often than other stock. |
There is also kind of disease in tim
Der called dry rot-caused in timber |
by any circumstance which renders the |
sap acidulous. 1t has not unfrequently |
proved ruinous to ships and to damp
houses. For the proven